My mom feeds the homeless on the first Wednesday of every month and sometimes I go with her. Usually when people start lining up and grabbing trays, napkins and utensils, I feel bad and sorry for these people because I realize that they have not had the same opportunities in life as many of us have. A lot of them wore old and worn out jeans and shirts. Also, a lot of them had on large winter coats even though it was still august. They all moved along slowly and quietly. I felt awkward in a way, not knowing what to say or to say anything at all. I just put bread on their plate and they went on to the next station. After a while I got comfortable with the job. I looked them in the eye, gave them their food… and smiled. I thought maybe it would make me feel better and hopefully them too. Even though a lot of people didn’t seem to care about my smile eventually one responded. I gave him his bread and smiled. I expected him to not respond but he actually did! He smiled wide and said “Thank you very much” and continued on. Something about that made me feel like I did something good. Like my smile had transferred my happiness to him. I actually think in that moment, it did.
I believe a smile is contagious. Try it. Smile at someone. Hopefully they don’t get creeped out and instead smile back, but usually they do smile back.
In the short time I have been alive I have learned that smiling can actually hurt the people that are trying to bring you down. It is a way of showing that you are not affected by the negativity that people are trying to force on you. It shows how irrelevant they are to you and that in itself can greatly affect that person and yourself.
Smile at life in general. Life is too short to sit and mope around. That will get you absolutely nowhere. Now you might think “Well what does this girl know. She’s only 12. She doesn’t have to pay bills or buy groceries. She doesn’t understand real struggle. She’s probably filled with rainbows and lollipops, she probably still watches Dora!” Ok yes I am young and no I’m not trying to sound like this “great wise person”. These are just lessons I understand at a young age. I don’t know why you can’t smile. I’m not saying you have to be “rainbows and fairy dust” all the time because everyone has issues and that needs to be accepted but it is your decision whether or not to let them let them continuously affect you.
Overall a smile can actually make you happier. It is proven that people who smile more are the ones who are genuinely happier. It’s not hard to smile and just like a lot of people say: “It takes a lot more to frown than to smile”
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